Quilting Fabric Cutting Template and Associated Method of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A quilting fabric cutting template adapted for the generation of a four-pointed star quilting block having a square base upon association of eight adjacent sides of the four-pointed star including: a substrate having a first outer side, a second outer side, a third outer side, a fourth outer side, a fifth outer side, a sixth outer side, a seventh outer side, an eighth outer side, a ninth outer side, a tenth outer side, an eleventh outer side, a twelfth outer side, a top surface, and a bottom surface; wherein the substrate forms the general shape of a four-pointed star; and wherein the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side are concave.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to cutting templates and, more particularly, to cutting templates for quilting fabric and associated methods of use, that facilitate rapidly cutting a plurality of pieces of fabric into predetermined shapes (e.g., four-pointed dodecagonal stars), to, in turn, reduce the time needed to prepare and assemble, for example, a quilt, a duvet cover, a coverlet, a comforter, a bedspread, a runner, a blanket, a throw, etcetera.

2. Background Art

Quilting, while widely known throughout the world as both a popular hobby and occupation, is extremely time consuming—especially the preparatory steps prior to piecing, wherein small pieces of cloth are sewn into patterns or blocks. As such, quilting accessories directed toward efficiency and/or enhancing a quilter's experience have been known in the art for years and are the subject of numerous patents, including but not limited to: U.S. Pat. No. 3,037,293 entitled “Spiral Curve Drafting Instrument;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,062 entitled “Quilting Template;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,086 entitled “Template and Cutter Guide System for Cutting Quilting Pieces;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,724 entitled “Quilting Ruler;” U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,412 entitled “Template for Measuring, Marking and Cutting of Construction Materials, and Method of Using Same;” U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,640 entitled “Quilting Template System;” U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,295 entitled “Quilt Tool;” U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,073 entitled “Quilt Template;” U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,072 entitled “Quilting Templates;” U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,470 entitled “Template for Cutting Quilting Fabrics;” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0048186 entitled “Cutting Guide with Seam Allowance Recess;” and United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0204437 entitled “Quilting Template and Ruler”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including all references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,037,293 appears to disclose a spiral curve drafting instrument and an object to provide an improved drawing or template aid with a precisely graduated curve. The instrument appears to be made of any suitable transparent sheet material, such as a transparent plastic, sometimes commercially known as “Plexiglas” and also by other commercial names, or other similar material, preferably although not necessarily about 1/16″ thick and 11½″ in diameter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,062 appears to disclose a transparent flat sheet template which facilitates joining and cutting of pieces of fabric used to make conventional quilting units, prior to assembly of the units into a quilt. The template comprises a first edge having a first straight edge portion and a concave edge portion, the concave edge portion being a portion of a circle. The template has second and third straight edges disposed perpendicularly to each other, and a fourth edge disposed parallel to the second edge. The template also includes an arcuate guideline which is generally similar in size and shape to the concave edge portion, and a grid of first and second sets of straight guidelines marked on the template. The first set of guidelines are parallel to each other and to the first straight edge portion of the template. The second set of guidelines are parallel to each other and to the second edge of the template. The straight guidelines are used to align the template with edges of a square of fabric. The concave edge portion facilitates accurate centering of a fabric circle on the square of fabric, and the arcuate guideline facilitates accurate cutting of the sewn fabric circle and square of fabric to produce quilting units.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,086 appears to disclose an improved system for cutting a quilting piece from fabric, which quilting piece has a constant width sewing expanse around the exposed area of the quilting piece for sewing quilting pieces together. The system includes a template conforming to the shape of the exposed area of the quilting piece and a cutter guide having a rail positioned along one edge of the cutter guide. The width of the rail is selected to correspond to the desired sewing expanse. The template is first positioned on the fabric to be cut and a cutter guide is positioned on top of the template with the inner guide edge of the rail positioned in abutting relation with an edge of the template. The fabric is then cut with a cutter along an outside cutting edge of the rail of the cutter guide.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,724 appears to disclose a quilting ruler that is square or rectangular in shape and has first, second, third and fourth edges with a first set of equally spaced rulings running parallel to the first and third edges of the ruler and at right angles to a second set of equally spaced rulings running parallel to the second and fourth edges of the ruler. The first line of the first set of rulings is spaced from the first edge of the ruler by a different interval from the interval by which the last line of that set of rulings is spaced from the third edge of the ruler, and the distance of each line of the first set of rulings from the first edge and of each line of the second set of rulings from the second edge is marked so as to be visible when the first and second edges of the ruler are in use and the distance of each line of the first set of rulings from the third edge and of each line of the second set of rulings from the fourth edge is marked so as to be visible when the third and fourth edges of the ruler are in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,412 appears to disclose a template for determining the shape and size of construction materials that should be cut to substantially match an irregularly shaped area to be covered by the construction materials. The template is a single layer material having lines that permit snapping off parts of the template without a cutting instrument. The template also has pegs on periphery edges of the template to assist in positioning the template. The invention also relates to a method of installing construction materials into an irregularly shaped area with the template.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,640 appears to disclose a quilting template system and a method for selecting a template which facilitates quilting a border-like area of a craftwork with length-sides and width-sides meeting at corners. The template system includes a set of templates each having an edge of repeated patterns of equal pattern-length but differing in pattern-length from template to template, and a correlator indicating which template(s) of the set are usable for the craft-work without fractional-pattern use on either the length-sides or the width-sides thereof. The method includes a sequence of steps for selecting a template by using the correlator to indicate which templates are usable for quilting the entire border-like area without fractional pattern use. The system preferably includes groups of templates, templates of each group each having patterns of equal pattern-length but differing in pattern-shapes from template to template within the group. Another aspect of the invention involves assemblages of templates on trays in uniplanar organized arrangement with adjacent templates having complementary edges. Yet another aspect involves a template for establishing a continuous stitch-line of repeated portions each with halves of inverted symmetry.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,295 appears to disclose a quilting tool that has a transparent, parallelogram plate and a first set of guidelines. The plate has at least a first major surface, a second major surface, a first side, a second side parallel to the first side, a third side and a fourth side parallel to the third side. The first set of guidelines has at least a plurality of individual guidelines imprinted on the first major surface of the plate. The individual guidelines are parallel to the first side of the plate and extend from the third side to the fourth side of the plate. The individual guidelines are spaced from the first side based on the equation (FB/NP)+(2×SA). FB is the finished block edge length. NP is the number of patches wanted along FB. SA is the seam allowance.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,073 appears to disclose a quilt template for producing a plurality of quilt pieces. The quilt template comprises a template plate for positioning over a first and second layer material. A marking groove traverses the template plate and receives a writing instrument. A first cutting groove traverses the template plate and receives the cutting instrument for cutting the first and second layer of material. A second cutting groove traverses the template plate and receives the cutting instrument for cutting the first and second layer of material. The marking groove is positioned between the first cutting groove and the second cutting groove. The marking groove and the first cutting groove define a first quilt pattern on the template plate. The marking groove and the second cutting groove define a second quilt pattern on the template plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,072 appears to disclose a plurality of templates that include cutting and sewing lines for forming a plurality of various pieces of two coordinating fabrics for use in quilt making. The template is made of a relatively rigid sheet of transparent or semi-transparent material such as acrylic. The cutting and sewing lines are formed by a plurality of spaced openings extending through the sheet material.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,470 appears to disclose templates used to aid in cutting, marking, or otherwise guiding a tool along two edges that intersect in an inside corner. The edges are extended past the point of intersection with channels so that the cutting, marking, or other operation may proceed fully up to the point of intersection or past the point of intersection if desired.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0048186 appears to disclose a cutting guide having a seam allowance recess and methods of cutting a piece of material with such cutting guide.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0204437 appears to disclose a combined template and ruler for use in quilting that is formed from a rigid plastic material and includes a plurality of spaced slots that correspond to cutting and sewing lines that are marked on layers of fabric using the template. The cutting and sewing lines are positioned such that a plurality of half square triangles of two ply material are formed without cutting the thread. A template and method of forming snowball blocks in a similar fashion is also disclosed.

While a plurality of quilting accessories are known in the art, their configurations remain problematic because they do not provide a quilter with a material opportunity to facilitate efficient preparation and assembly of a quilted article—especially those based upon a four-pointed dodecagonal star that generates a square yo-yo.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cutting template for quilting fabric and associated methods of use that facilitate rapidly cutting a plurality of pieces of fabric into predetermined shapes (e.g., four-pointed dodecagonal stars), to, in turn, reduce the time needed to prepare and assemble, for example, a quilt.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to, in one embodiment, a quilting fabric cutting template adapted for the generation of a four-pointed star quilting block having a square base upon association of eight adjacent sides of the four-pointed star comprising: (a) a substrate having a first outer side, a second outer side, a third outer side, a fourth outer side, a fifth outer side, a sixth outer side, a seventh outer side, an eighth outer side, a ninth outer side, a tenth outer side, an eleventh outer side, a twelfth outer side, a top surface, and a bottom surface; (b) wherein the substrate forms the general shape of a four-pointed star; and (c) wherein the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side are concave.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate forms the shape of a four-pointed dodecagonal star.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate forms the shape of a frusto-tipped four-pointed dodecagonal star.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second outer side and the third outer side are fixedly connected such that the second outer side and the third outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the second outer side and the third outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side are fixedly connected such that the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, and wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection.

In one aspect of the present invention, the substrate further comprises a circular hanging aperture positioned equal distance from a midpoint of each one of the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface includes a protective film, wherein the protective film is fabricated from an elastomeric material and/or an at least partially transparent elastomeric flurosilicone. In this embodiment, the protective film is preferably coated with a composition comprising at least one of a carboxylic acid, an alcohol, an aldehyde, chlorhexidine, octenidine, and a polymer opal film.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side each include a pair of elastomeric edges for accommodating a rotary cutter.

The present invention is also directed to, in one embodiment, a process for preparing a quilting block, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cutting mat; (b) placing a plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric on the cutting mat; (c) placing a cutting template on the plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric, wherein the cutting template comprises a substrate having a first outer side, a second outer side, a third outer side, a fourth outer side, a fifth outer side, a sixth outer side, a seventh outer side, an eighth outer side, a ninth outer side, a tenth outer side, an eleventh outer side, a twelfth outer side, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the substrate forms the general shape of a four-pointed star, wherein the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side are concave, wherein the second outer side and the third outer side are fixedly connected such that the second outer side and the third outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, wherein the second outer side and the third outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side are fixedly connected such that the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, and wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection; and (d) cutting the plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric with a rotary cutter by following an outer peripheral geometry of the cutting template and channels associated therewith.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process further comprises the steps of: sewing the second outer side and the third outer side together; sewing the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side together; sewing the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side together; and sewing the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side together, thereby forming a first quilting block having a square base and a generally square upper aperture.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process further comprises the step of introducing batting through the aperture of the first quilting block and subsequently tying off the aperture.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process further comprises the step of sewing the first quilting block to a second quilting block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is an isometric view illustrating a quilting fabric cutting template in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is an isometric view illustrating a cutting mat, a plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric, a quilting fabric cutting template, and a a rotary cutter in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is an isometric view illustrating an unassembled quilting fabric block in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a top isometric view of a quilt fabricated utilizing a quilting fabric cutting template in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a bottom isometric view of a quilt fabricated utilizing a quilting fabric cutting template in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is an isometric view illustrating a quilting fabric cutting template in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a top isometric view of a quilt fabricated utilizing a quilting fabric cutting template in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a bottom isometric view of a quilt fabricated utilizing a quilting fabric cutting template in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, one or more specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, are identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, quilting fabric cutting template 10 is shown which is adapted for the generation of a four-pointed star quilting block. In one embodiment of the present invention, quilting fabric cutting template 10 generates a quilting block that includes a substantially square and/or square base (See FIG. 3).

Quilting fabric cutting template 10 is preferably fabricated from at least partially transparent natural and/or synthetic plastics (e.g., acrylic, polyurethane, polystyrene, etcetera) and/or rubbers, saturated and/or unsaturated rubbers, such as polyisoprene, butyl rubber, polyacrylic rubber, silicones, and flurosilicones. While quilting fabric cutting template 10 has been disclosed for illustrative purposes only as comprising specific materials, other materials are likewise suitable for use in accordance with the present invention, such as wood, metals, alloys, compressed paper products, and/or glass—just to name a few.

Quilting fabric cutting template 10 generally comprises a substrate having first outer side 12, second outer side 14, third outer side 16, fourth outer side 18, fifth outer side 20, sixth outer side 22, seventh outer side 24, eighth outer side 26, ninth outer side 28, tenth outer side 30, eleventh outer side 32, twelfth outer side 34, top surface 36, and bottom surface 38. As is best shown in FIG. 1, quilting fabric cutting template 10 preferably generally conforms to the shape of a four-pointed dodecagonal star, wherein first outer side 12, fourth outer side 18, seventh outer side 24, and the tenth outer side 30 are preferably concave and form frusto-tips of the four-pointed star.

In one aspect of the present invention, second outer side 14 and third outer side 16 are fixedly connected such that second outer side 14 and third outer side 16 intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and second outer side 14 and third outer side 16 each include channel 40 that extend past the point of their intersection.

Additionally, fifth outer side 20 and sixth outer side 22 are preferably fixedly connected such that fifth outer side 20 and sixth outer side 22 intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and fifth outer side 20 and sixth outer side 22 each include channel 40 that extend past the point of their intersection.

Moreover, eighth outer side 26 and ninth outer side 28 are preferably fixedly connected such that eighth outer side 26 and ninth outer side 28 intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and eighth outer side 26 and ninth outer side 28 each include channel 40 that extend past the point of their intersection.

Furthermore, eleventh outer side 32 and twelfth outer side 34 are preferably fixedly connected such that eleventh outer side 32 and twelfth outer side 34 intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and eleventh outer side 32 and twelfth outer side 34 each include channel 40 that extend past the point of their intersection.

As is best shown in FIG. 1, quilting fabric cutting template 10 preferably comprises circular hanging aperture 42 positioned equal distance from a midpoint of each one of first outer side 12, fourth outer side 18, seventh outer side 24, and tenth outer side 30.

Quilting fabric cutting template 10 preferably includes a protective film associated with the top and/or bottom surfaces. One example of such a protective film is an elastomeric material, such as an at least partially transparent elastomeric flurosilicone. It will be understood that the protective film enhances product longevity by protecting the substrate from direct exposure to the rotary cutter. Additionally, first outer side 12, fourth outer side 18, seventh outer side 24, and tenth outer side 30 each preferably include a pair of elastomeric edges for accommodating a rotary cutter, and, in turn, facilitating displacement of a rotary cutter around cutting template 10.

In accordance with the present invention the protective film associated with the top and/or bottom surfaces and/or the top and/or bottom surfaces themselves may be at least partially covered with anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and/or combinations thereof, coatings or agents.

In accordance with the present invention, anti-microbial agents comprise chemical compositions that at least substantially inhibit microbial growth and/or kill bacteria, fungi and/or other microorganisms. A plurality of inorganic and/or organic chemical compositions which display anti-microbial activity are suitable for use with the present invention. Non-limiting examples of suitable organic substances that possess anti-microbial activity are carboxylic acids, alcohols and/or aldehydes, most of which appear to act by protein precipitation and/or by disruption of microbial cell membrane.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-microbial activity of suitable inorganic substances is generally related to the ions, toxic to other microorganisms, into which they dissociate. The anti-microbial activity of various metal ions, for example, is often attributed to their affinity for protein material and the insolubility of the metal proteinate formed. Metal-containing salts are thus preferred among the inorganic substances that act as anti-microbial agents.

Metal inorganic salts, including simple salts of metal cations and inorganic anions like silver nitrate, are often soluble and dissociable and, hence, offer ready availability of potentially toxic ions.

Metal salts or complexes of organic moieties such as organic acids, on the other hand, are often less soluble and, therefore, are less dissociable than the soluble metal inorganic salts. Metal organic salts or complexes generally have a greater stability with respect to extraneous organic matter, and anions present in the environment of the living cell than metal inorganic salts, but have less toxic potential by virtue of their greater stability.

Silver ion is an example of a preferred metal ion which possess anti-microbial activity. To the best of Applicant's knowledge silver ions react with a variety of anions as well as with chemical moieties of proteins. Precipitation of proteins, causing disruption of the microbial cell membrane and complexation with DNA, is likely the basis of the anti-microbial activity. Silver ions in high concentration will form insoluble silver chloride and thereby deplete chloride ions in vivo.

Anti-bacterials are antiseptics that have the proven ability to act against bacteria. Non-limiting examples of anti-bacterials suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include alcohols such as ethanol (20-99⁺%), 1-propanol (20-99⁺%) and 2-propanol/isopropanol (20-99⁺%) or mixtures of these alcohols. They are commonly referred to as “surgical alcohol”. Used to disinfect the skin before injections are given, often along with iodine (tincture of iodine) or some cationic surfactants (benzalkonium chloride 0.05-0.5%, chlorhexidine 0.2-4.0% or octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1-2.0%). Other common anti-bacterials include quaternary ammonium compounds known as Quats or QAC's, include the chemicals benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), cetylpyridinium chloride (Cetrim, CPC) and benzethonium chloride (BZT). Benzalkonium chloride is used in some pre-operative skin disinfectants (conc. 0.05-0.5%) and antiseptic towels. The anti-microbial activity of Quats is inactivated by anionic surfactants, such as soaps. Related disinfectants include chlorhexidine and octenidine.

It will be understood that cutting template 10 may be single or double sidedly dip or spray coated with the anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and/or anti-viral agent, or alternatively cutting template 10 may also be impregnated with one or more of the aforementioned agents.

Additionally, the protective film may include one or more visual indicators of use (not shown), for example, nanomaterials such as photonic crystals or polymer opal films which are disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,105,715, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety including all references cited therein. These visual indicators of use may include color changing properties incorporated within cutting template 10 to indicate whether cutting template 10 should be cleaned and/or replaced. For example, cutting template 10 may include a visual indicator that changes the color of cutting template 10 from substantially transparent to any color such as red, green, blue, and the like.

In another embodiment, cutting template 10 includes indicia, including, but not limited to, ruler and/or measurement markings, etcetera.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention is also directed to a process for preparing a quilting block, comprising the steps of: providing cutting mat 44; placing a plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric 46 on cutting mat 44; placing cutting template 10 on the plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric 46, cutting the plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric 46 with rotary cutter 48 by following an outer peripheral geometry of cutting template 10 and channels 40 associated therewith, to, in turn, generate quilting block 50. Once quilting block 50 is generated, and based upon the cutting template terminology, corresponding second and third outer sides, fifth and sixth outer sides, eighth and ninth outer sides, as well as eleventh and twelfth outer sides of quilting block 50 are sewn together along their respective adjacent sides, thereby forming a first quilting block having a square base and a generally square upper aperture (not shown). Notably, the process of the present invention provides a quilter with an opportunity to efficiently prepare several blocks at one time toward substantially reducing the time required to prepare a quilted article.

After the quilting block has been sewn, it forms a tipi type structure having an upper aperture which allows the quilting block to be filled with, for example, batting. Once the batting has been introduced into the tipi type structure, then the top of the structure is preferably tied off to enclose the filled, square based block or square yo-yo.

After a plurality of square yo-yos have been prepared, they are sewn along a side to create a quilted pattern (See FIGS. 4 and 5).

Referring now to FIG. 6, quilting fabric cutting template 100 is shown which is adapted for the generation of a triangular and/or frusto-triangular quilting block. In one embodiment of the present invention, quilting fabric cutting template 100 generates a quilting block that includes a substantially triangular base. Such a quilting block generates a quilt in accordance with FIGS. 7 and 8.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A quilting fabric cutting template adapted for the generation of a four-pointed star quilting block having a square base upon association of eight adjacent sides of the four-pointed star, comprising: a substrate having a first outer side, a second outer side, a third outer side, a fourth outer side, a fifth outer side, a sixth outer side, a seventh outer side, an eighth outer side, a ninth outer side, a tenth outer side, an eleventh outer side, a twelfth outer side, a top surface, and a bottom surface; wherein the substrate forms the general shape of a four-pointed star; and wherein the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side are concave.
 2. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 1, wherein the substrate forms the shape of a four-pointed dodecagonal star.
 3. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 2, wherein the substrate forms the shape of a frusto-tipped four-pointed dodecagonal star.
 4. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 2, wherein the second outer side and the third outer side are fixedly connected such that the second outer side and the third outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the second outer side and the third outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side are fixedly connected such that the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, and wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees and wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection.
 5. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 4, wherein the substrate further comprises a circular hanging aperture positioned equal distance from a midpoint of each one of the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side.
 6. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface includes a protective film, wherein the protective film is fabricated from an elastomeric material.
 7. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 6, wherein the elastomeric material comprises an at least partially transparent elastomeric flurosilicone.
 8. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 7, wherein the protective film is coated with a composition comprising at least one of a carboxylic acid, an alcohol, an aldehyde, chlorhexidine, octenidine, and a polymer opal film.
 9. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 8, wherein the protective film is coated with a composition comprising a chlorhexidine and a polymer opal film.
 10. The quilting fabric cutting template according to claim 1, wherein the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side each include a pair of elastomeric edges for accommodating a rotary cutter.
 11. A process for preparing a quilting block, comprising the steps of: providing a cutting mat; placing a plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric on the cutting mat; placing a cutting template on the plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric, wherein the cutting template comprises a substrate having a first outer side, a second outer side, a third outer side, a fourth outer side, a fifth outer side, a sixth outer side, a seventh outer side, an eighth outer side, a ninth outer side, a tenth outer side, an eleventh outer side, a twelfth outer side, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the substrate forms the general shape of a four-pointed star, wherein the first outer side, the fourth outer side, the seventh outer side, and the tenth outer side are concave, wherein the second outer side and the third outer side are fixedly connected such that the second outer side and the third outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, wherein the second outer side and the third outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side are fixedly connected such that the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, wherein the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, wherein the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection, wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side are fixedly connected such that the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side intersect at an angle that is less than 180 degrees, and wherein the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side each include a channel that extends past the point of their intersection; and cutting the plurality of stacked pieces of quilting fabric with a rotary cutter by following an outer peripheral geometry of the cutting template and channels associated therewith.
 12. The process according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of: sewing the second outer side and the third outer side together; sewing the fifth outer side and the sixth outer side together; sewing the eighth outer side and the ninth outer side together; and sewing the eleventh outer side and the twelfth outer side together, thereby forming a first quilting block having a square base and a generally square upper aperture.
 13. The process according to claim 12, further comprising the step of: introducing batting through the aperture of the first quilting block and subsequently tying off the aperture.
 14. The process according to claim 13, further comprising the step of: sewing the first quilting block to a second quilting block. 